Because it's a slow news day, and humor is so often lacking in political campaigns ...

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party took a crack at Republican Senate candidate Pat Toomey today in a press release claiming that his campaign is just a ruse to sell his book, The Road to Prosperity.

In a very Onion-esque statement, PA Dems spokesman Patrick McKenna writes that in a new "damning" Toomey campaign video, the "Best Seller List hopeful" has a stack of his books strategically placed on the shelf behind him.

“We’ve had several reports that they’ve been using them as coasters, to prop up tables and chairs, you name it. Someone even mentioned that a couple of staffers built a fort with the books on a slow day, with one staffer joking that it was to ‘fend off the socialist onslaught from Washington',” McKenna said.

A spokesman for the Toomey campaign took the ribbing in stride.

"I'm glad to see the State Democrats have a sense of humor," Mark Harris, Toomey's campaign manager said, "but they should focus more on finding new ways to change the subject from Senator Specter's pro-bailout, pro-stimulus, pro-government run healthcare, pro-tax hike voting record".

The Toomey camp has also had it's fun. Just yesterday, they announced the winner of a "March to Madness" bracket pitting statements and positions of Democratic Senate candidates Arlen Specter and Joe Sestak against each other.

After two weeks of voting, Tim Kelly, a Toomey spokesman, announced that Specter was crowned the "March to Madness" champion for his "Act Like a Lady" comment to Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann earlier this year.

"In the end, what won out was Arlen Specter’s 18th century attitude toward a female congressional colleague," Kelly said. "Now, that's one out-of-touch career Washington politician."

Even as Bucks County Congressman Patrick Murphy’s staff tries to downplay threatening phone calls to his D.C. and district offices, Philadelphia Congressman Bob Brady said on WHYY’s “Radio Times” this morning that someone left such a message at Murphy’s home as well.

According to Brady, the call came in at around 3 a.m. in the wake of the health care vote. Murphy listened to the message in the morning and re-dialed the number at which point the caller backed down, Brady said, pointing to his colleague’s two tours of duty in Iraq.

Murphy’s chief of staff, Scott Fairchild, said in an e-mail: “The threatening calls are being looked into. The Congressman doesn't want to comment further. He doesn't want to elevate the extremists who made these threats."

Murphy will likely face a November rematch with his predecessor in the 8th District. Mike Fitzpatrick is the frontrunner in a crowded Republican primary distinguished by its lack of an official endorsement from the Bucks GOP.

“It is clear that this is a highly charged issue. While the Congressman has not received unlawful threats, some people have expressed their opinions very forcefully. There are also many people that have contacted the Congressman to thank him for his vote."

A “Groundhog Day” moment could also be on tap for the longtime Democratic incumbent, who deflected two earlier challenges from Lou Barletta. The Hazelton mayor is running unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter picked up a big endorsement today from the AFL-CIO, an umbrella group that represents about 900,000 unionized Pennsylvania workers.

The statewide union also endorsed Specter in 2004, back when he was a Republican.

The Specter campaign released the following statement from AFL-CIO chief Bill George: "We're supporting a candidate who will stand up for the character of workers, stand up for their households, to enhance the education system, to enhance the health care system, to address social problems and advance a progressive society that takes all of America to
a higher level.

Specter has sewed up the bulk of the union endorsements in his Democratic primary race against Delaware County Congressman Joe Sestak.

He 's also gotten the nod from the leadership of the 191,000 member Pennsylvania State Education Association, which represents teachers.

The Democratic National Committee will begin airing radio ads in the district of ten Republican House members who voted against the health care bill on Sunday night. (Note: every Republican voted against the bill)

It's no secret that Republican candidate for Senate, Pat Toomey, thinks the new federal health care reform law is bad for America.

So, it's no surprise that Toomey would stand by Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett's efforts to legally challenge the constitutionality of the law.

“There are legitimate legal questions surrounding the legislation, and I applaud Attorney General Corbett for pursuing them,” Toomey said in a statement on Thursday.

As reported by dear friend and colleague, John Micek, a group of 13 top state lawyers argue that the "health care
bill's provision requiring people to buy health insurance -- or face a
fine if they do not -- exceeds Congress' constitutional authority to
regulate interstate commerce. They also argue that the bill violates the
10th Amendment, which sets down the boundaries for state and federal
rights."

Toomey denounced the law when it passed the House on Sunday night as the product of "extreme politics of one-party rule." He pledged to work to repeal it and replace it with "commonsense bipartisan health care reforms that lower premiums, give doctors and patients more control of health care decisions, and do not further burden our troubled economy.”

Democrats sent Corbett a letter on Wednesday urging him to drop the lawsuit, saying that the state would lose $102 million in federal dollars this fiscal year if he succeeded.

It was bound to happen. After voting no on health care reform, Lehigh Valley Republican Congressman Charlie Dent, whose seat is seen as one of the few Democrats have any shot at flipping this year, has become the target of a radio ad campaign.

The Democratic National Committee began running the ads against Dent and 7th District Republican Jim Gerlach this morning. The ads, which target Congresspersons in 10 districts President Obama won in 2008, tout some of the more popular provisions of the bill, then point out Dent [or whoever] was against it.

"He stood with insurance companies and their Washington lobbyists and against reform," the ad points out. Then it urges listeners to call Dent and tell him "hands off our health care." You can listen to the ad here.

Wonder how long it will be before Republicans bring out their ad emphasizing some of the less popular elements of health reform and point out that Dent's Democratic opponent John Callahan would have been a yes vote.

In the week of intense debate leading up to Sunday’s health care vote, more Pennsylvanians said health care is the number one issue they’ll consider when choosing a candidate in the U.S. Senate election.

This month’s Franklin and Marshall College survey conducted March 15 through Sunday found that 31 percent of registered voters in the state named health care their top issue, jumping 10 points from February. The economy came in second with 24 percent.

U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak is losing ground in the Democratic primary against Sen. Arlen Specter. Specter would handily beat Sestak 32 percent to 12 percent, although 52 percent are still undecided. The little-known third candidate, Joe Vodvarka, would receive zero votes.

In the general election, Republican Pat Toomey would beat either Specter or Sestak, but the race is much tighter between Toomey and Specter. Toomey leads Specter among registered voters 33 percent to 29 percent. He leads Sestak 27 percent to 19 percent.

Most voters surveyed already had an opinion of Specter, a 30-year veteran in the Senate. More Pennsylvanians said their opinion of him was unfavorable.

For Sestak, despite his efforts to travel the entire state to gain name recognition, most people - 73 percent - have no opinion of him. For Toomey, about 59 percent have not formed an opinion.

Both Specter and Sen. Bob Casey were at the White House on Tuesday for the bill signing, a moment Specter described as "filled with emotion."

Specter had a prime seat in the second row directly behind Caroline Kennedy.

"Members there felt a sense of satisfaction that we had the courage to fight the right wing extremists and their misinformation," Specter said. "There was a great excitement, we've just been through a ferocious battle and our opponents are predicting our political demise."

Casey said he had a moment with the president at the White House after the bill was signed. He shook the president's hand and gave him a letter from a constituent with serious health care concerns.

"This says it all," Casey told the president.

Republicans this week in the Senate will continue their campaign against the current health care law by attempting to derail progress on the reconciliation measure that makes changes to it. Casey said he will vote "no" on every amendment, even if it is things he agrees on.

"What you’re going to see this week is a lot of game playing in the Senate," Casey said. "They will be offering amendment, after amendment to try and stop this part of the other bill from being passed to just play political games. I’ll have a lot of 'no' votes this week even on things I like, because I won’t let anything stop this from getting passed."

"It was completely over the top. It was an aberration," Dent said. "This was a passionate debate, but clearly those comments are very wrong."

Dent also said he did not agree with some members of his party's effort to repeal the entire health care bill. He said there are provisions in the bill he supports like creating a high-risk pool for people with pre-existing conditions and allowing young adults to stay on their parents' health care plan. Those items are among the most popular to most Americans.

He does believe, however, that major provisions in the bill should be repealed, such as "the medicaid expansion, and medicare cuts."

The independent candidate in the campaign for Dent's seat, Jake Towne, signed a pledge to repeal the entire the bill. Dent's Democratic challenger, John Callahan, supports the health care bill that was signed into law on Tuesday.

The Organizing for America volunteer group that grew out of President Obama's campaign organization has been given some credit for helping the White House sway wavering Democrats in the final days of the health care reform push in the House: here for example.

The group made somewhere around 500,000 phone calls to lawmakers in recent days, and pointed out in a press release that at least one of its members ended up being cited in a floor speech by Democratic Congressman Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania's 14th District.

But they didn't fare too well convincing Republicans to join in. None voted for the health care legislation.

Among those Republican no-votes was Charlie Dent, the Lehigh Valley's Congressman representing the 15th District. Among other things, he said the bill was too expensive and won't lower rising health care costs.

Organizing for America targeted Dent with a phone call campaign, urging members to call Dent's office and tell him to support the health care legislation. On Sunday, they asked members to make 119 calls to his office by the end of the day.

"Your representative, Rep. Charles Dent, needs to know that a vote against reform is a vote to give insurance companies free reign to jack up premiums, drop coverage when people get sick, and make life-and-death decisions for millions of Americans. There's still time for your representative to put people above partisanship and support reform -- so please call right away." said Obama campaign director David Plouffe in an email to supporters Sunday.

“I hereby pledge to the people of my district/state upon my election
to the U.S. House of Representatives/U.S. Senate, to sponsor and support
legislation to repeal any federal health care takeover passed in 2010,
and replace it with real reforms that lower health care costs without
growing government.”

This Sunday Sen. Arlen Specter will travel to Atlanta for a fundraiser hosted by media mogul and known liberal, Ted Turner.

The PA GOP party thinks Specter needs to cancel.

Party Chairman Rob Gleason said Specter, a Democrat, should not appear with Turner, who he charged, is anti-Israel and anti-religion.

"Ted Turner’s views about people of religious faith, Fidel Castro, and Israel are so offensive, Arlen Specter should be renouncing him, not joining him for a fundraiser,” Gleason said in a statement. “How can Senator Specter claim to support religious tolerance when he is associating with such a despicable man? Senator Specter should renounce Ted Turner’s hateful views and cancel this fundraiser.”

Last fall, Specter gave Turner and his girlfriend a tour of the Capitol. According to an insider DC newspaper, Specter was spotted giving Turner's lady a big kiss on the cheek.

Joe Vodvarka, a custom springs maker from Allegheny County, could take on a former Navy admiral and 30-year Senate veteran in a few weeks.

Vodvarka, who received enough signatures to get him on the PA Democratic primary ballot, has been offered a seat alongside Sen. Arlen Specter and Rep. Joe Sestak when they debate in Philadelphia on May 1.

Vodvarka received an e-mail Wednesday night from the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters, who are putting on the debate, inviting him to "come be part of it," said Jesse, Vodvarka's son and campaign manager.

There's been no shortage of reporting about Bethlehem City Council's frustrations with the way Mayor John Callahan's administration has been managing the city's books. You can also read about it here and here.

In the latest dust-up, council gave a preliminary thumbs up on an ordinance that would require regular financial reports from the administration to promote improved transparency.

The capsule version: Late last year, the administration violated city ordinances that require council to approve spending more casino fees than budgeted and also transfers from the treasurer's escrow account exceeding $1.8 million. Then Callahan, who has said he was unaware of the goofs, reprimanded Business Administrator Dennis Reichard last week for misrepresenting that same spending in a memo he sent to council. Callahan called Reichard's language "artful."

Incumbent Republican Charlie Dent's campaign pounced this week, ripping Callahan for either failing to properly supervise Reichard, or lying about his knowledge of Reichard's oversight of city finances.

“Either the city’s business administrator actually acted with John Callahan’s knowledge, misleading council and violating a city ordinance to maintain a fiscal illusion, or else John Callahan is so clueless and remote from the management of the city’s finances that an aide was able to move millions of dollars of funds around while leaving Callahan in the dark," said Dent campaign manager Shawn Millan.

“Charlie Dent has a long history of not being honest about his opponent’s record and this is just another sad example. Here are the facts: under Mayor Callahan the debt is down 60 million dollars and 5,000 new jobs were created, all while balancing six budgets--during Dent’s watch the national debt increased by 4 trillion dollars, unemployment has sky rocketed and Charlie hasn’t created a single job in the Lehigh Valley. Congressman Dent just doesn’t want to talk about his own miserable economic record and I don’t blame him.”

But somehow the 66-year-old custom springs maker from Allegheny County secured enough signatures to get him on the Senate Democratic primary ballot.

Now Rep. Joe Sestak, who for months has tirelessly canvassed the state in an effort to unseat Sen. Arlen Specter, is saying Vodvarka did not get enough legitimate signatures. The Sestak campaign has filed a formal challenge to the petitions Tuesday in
Commonwealth Court.

Vodvarka says he got 2,600 signatures fair and square. When we spoke, he knew nothing about Sestak's challenge. But he wasn't surprised.

"It’s politics. Politics is the dirtiest game in our world. If you want to do a little good in the world you have to stoop so low to become a politician," Vodvarka said. "I have no idea how a politician thinks because I am not a politician. I am a common man."

Late Tuesday night, Specter's campaign sent out a release blasting Sestak for taking on Vodvarka.

"Cong. Sestak has spent months saying that his was a new type of campaign, dedicated to changing Washington, D.C. and the Senate. But challenging Mr. Vodvarka's petition signatures is a vivid example of old style back-room politics as usual," the Specter camp said.

Vodvarka has never served in public life. He retired in September and his wife said he could use his social security checks if he wanted to run for the Senate. His goal is to show that any person can get his voice heard.

"If a big dummy like me can do it, anyone can do it,' Vodvarka said. "Next election I want to see 100 Americans come out and do it. The country is in trouble."

Vodvarka certainly doesn't have the millions in the bank like his opponents. In fact, his small business is in trouble. His main platform is fair trade and stopping manufacturing jobs from being outsourced overseas.

His 27-year-old son, Jesse, is running his campaign and says he will use YouTube and other new media to try and get his dad's message out.

To get the signatures, they went door-to-door. They also stood downtown and approached people. The response they got, Jesse said, was support and outrage at politics as usual.

So far Vodvarka has gotten little to no media attention. Although his name is on the ballot, the Senate primary is still very much considered a two-person race.

Vodvarka wants to be included when Sestak and Specter debate. In fact, he wants a seat right in between them. And if he wins in May? Vodvarka plans to take his message nationwide.

If I could win that primary, there’s no way I could lose in November," he said. "I want to make such a rumpus that everyone in all 50 states is going to be following me."

In a strongly worded release today, Republican candidate for Senate, Pat Toomey, criticized the Obama administration for its "unusually harsh" treatment of Israel. Tensions between the two ally nations emerged after the U.S. government expressed disappointment that Israel announced, while Vice President Joe Biden was visiting, it would build Jewish houses in east Jerusalem -- land that is central in the Palestinian/Israeli conflicts. The U.S. believes Israel's decision to do so undermines peace efforts.

Toomey said the Obama administration's reaction to Israel's announcement was unfitting.

"When America’s strongest ally in the Middle East makes an internal decision about its own capital city, the administration unleashes a heavy barrage of denunciations," Toomey said. "It’s as if this administration sees Jewish homes in Jerusalem as a bigger threat to international peace than nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorists. It’s illogical and outrageous."

Later on the Senate floor, Sen. Arlen Specter, without denouncing his own greatest ally - the Obama administration, said criticism of Israel needed to stop.

"Before the current controversy before the United States and Israel escalates further, I suggest all parties cool the rhetoric, avoid public recriminations, determine exactly what happened and consider some fundamental questions," Specter said.

Rep. Joe Sestak, who was singled out by the Republican Jewish Coalition last month for signing a letter urging Obama to address the humanitarian crisis
in Gaza, also said the tiff between the two countries was not productive.

"We need stronger U.S. leadership to move us down a roadmap for peace and to achieve a comprehensive peaceful resolution that includes a two-state solution where Israel’s security and statehood are acknowledged and protected," Sestak said.

At a news conference, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Israel and the United States' relationship is still strong: "Mature bilateral relationships can have disagreements," he said.

Sestak likes to remind Rendell that he too was the under dog against establishment candidate Bob Casey, Jr when Rendell successfully transitioned from Philly mayor to Pennsylvania governor. As a further reminder, Sestak would like to share a sandwich with Rendell at Wawa after he beats Sen. Arlen Specter in the Democratic primary.

And not just any sandwich. The "Rendelli." A sandwich of roasted chicken tenders, lettuce, spicy Buffalo blue cheese sauce on focaccia bread named after Rendell in 2003.

"I like Ed; he and I will share a 'Rendelli' sandwich at Wawa after we win the primary -- resurrecting this classic as was done in 2003 after Ed upset the old guard for governor," Sestak said today. "It'll again serve as a reminder to today's old guard that it's important never to forget in America that it's the people -- not the establishment's desire -- that good leaders focus upon, and that's why we'll win."

Dent, in a statement, accused House Democrats today of "shadowy procedures" ahead of the anticipated health care vote later this week. Obama, in a statement, applauded the work his administration has done to promote transparency.

Dent wants cameras in the Rules Committee hearing room, a tiny space where 13 members of Congress meet to determine what comes to the House floor for a vote.

House leadership is considering allowing the Rules panel to use a parliamentary trick that would "deem" the Senate version of health care already passed. While there will be media inside the committee room when this debate takes place, there will be no cameras.

"Recent reports have indicated that Chairwoman Slaughter will attempt to craft a procedural rule in the Committee that would, in effect, allow the Senate health care legislation to pass without even a direct up or down vote," Dent said. "The American people deserve to see what their elected representatives are doing behind the closed doors of the Rules Committee."

"House leadership has broken faith with the American people, and I hope to begin restoring that faith by shedding sunlight on these shadowy procedures," Dent said.

The Obama administration, minutes after Dent's statement came out, released a statement celebrating Sunshine Week and noting the president's steps to increase transparency.

"I want to applaud everyone who has worked to increase transparency in government and recommit my administration to be the most open and transparent ever, an effort that will strengthen our democracy and ensure the public’s trust in their government," Obama said.

Categories:Current Affairs
Posted by John Micek at 01:42:27 PM on March 16, 2010

Gov Ed Rendell ...
... effectively wrote off Joe Sestak's U.S. Senate campaign this morning, telling us that he doesn't think the Delaware County congressman can catch primary rival Arlen Specter in the polls before the May 18 primary.

"Let me start out by saying that Joe is a good congressman, a good American and a friend of mine," Rendell said in a lengthy interview for the "Politics as Usual" podcast. "But he has, in my judgment, no chance of winning."

"And in the time that has elapsed, [Sestak] has done nothing to narrow [Specter's] lead," the governor continued. "In fact, the lead has actually increased. And I just don't think that he has enough money, versus his opponent, to make a dent in a lead that big."

Part of Sestak's problem, Rendell, suggested, has come from trying to build name recognition outside of the Philadelphia suburbs.

"Joe doesn't understand how big a state this is," Rendell said. "He has the same problem Philadelphia congressmen have. He thought that because he got on TV occasionally that 'Everyone knows who I am.' Maybe only a small percentage know him outside his congressional district. In most TV markets, people know the mayor. I was on TV in Philly as mayor maybe 10 to 15 times more than Tom Ridge, who was governor. Congressmen get much less exposure."

Rendell also credited Specter with working hard to build relationships with Democratic party leaders in counties across the state, pointing out that Specter has had three decades to build relationships and deliver federal pork to those regions.

Rendell recounted a conference call between Specter and Democratic county chairmen and committeemen. Rendell, no slouch in the glad-handing department said "He knew more county chairmen and committeepeople than I did. It was astonishing.

"It does matter what you do, not just on the big issues, but the small ones," Rendell said. "Arlen did it for 30 years. There's no way Joe can make up for it in the campaign. He's out there making promises against someone who has delivered."

Spokesmen for Sestak and Specter could not be immediately reached for comment. We'll update when we hear from them.

Sen. Arlen Specter refused to debate Rep. Joe Sestak more than once before the May primary.

So Sestak side stepped him, extending his debate invitation to the Republican candidate for Senate, Pat Toomey. Toomey accepted.

The two men, both eager to oust Specter from the Senate, will meet on April 11 for an evening debate at LaSalle University.

The topic? The economy.

Sestak’s and Toomey’s policies fall on opposite ends of the political spectrum. Their positions on job creation could not be more different. Sestak promotes government spending programs and Toomey advocates tax cuts.

This will be the second official meeting between Sestak and Toomey. In September, they held a townhall-style debate on health care in Allentown.

“I appreciate that Pat is ready, willing, and able to engage in the kind of discussion that Pennsylvanians deserve to hear at this critical time in our recovery,” Sestak said in a statement.

Sestak invited Specter to debate in every major media market in Pennsylvania, but Specter turned him down. They are tentatively scheduled to hold one debate on May 1 that will be televised statewide.

Angling for the state Democratic party’s support, the two also debated at the party’s winter endorsement meeting in February.

Specter’s campaign had no comment about the planned meeting between Sestak and Toomey.

The latest PA Senate race poll, this one by Susquehanna Polling and Research, shows Republican Pat Toomey unseating Democrat Arlen Specter in the general election 42 percent to 36 percent. Of those surveyed, 18 percent are undecided.

Just last week, the results were reversed. The Daily Kos/Research 2000 found that Specter was actually ahead of Toomey 47 percent to 41 percent with 12 percent undecided.

The Susquehanna poll lines up almost exactly with the most recent Franklin & Marshall poll of likely voters, which showed they favor Toomey over Specter 44
percent to 34 percent.

The Daily Kos poll lines up with the most recent Quinnipiac poll of registered voters, which found Specter ahead 49 percent to 42 percent.

On the front page of the DC insider publication are two separate stories about Pennsylvania's Democratic Senator. The top story, is a look back on Specter's year after switching political parties, a move Specter calls "comfortable." The newspaper sums up that lawmakers both parties believe it's the right fit for Specter. This picture here is also prominently placed on the front page.

Below that story is another about Specter's labor support throughout his career and how he's enjoying organized labor endorsements now as a Democrat. Naturally, in the story, Specter gets in a dig about his opponent, Rep. Joe Sestak, paying his staff less than minimum wage. Specter charges that Sestak is in violation of labor laws.

The story then jumps inside where a third Specter story is located about K Street campaign donations split between Specter and Republican candidate Pat Toomey. The story lists the support Specter still has among powerful DC groups, but also notes that some Republicans on K Street have thrown their weight behind Toomey.

About 20 people gathered in the basement of Bethlehem's Wired Cafe Saturday to take part in a national effort to provide a counterweight to the conservative tea party movement. Something was brewing.

They're calling it the Coffee Party.

Local organizer Bill Bekkenhuis, an information technology worker from Bethlehem, scheduled the meeting, part of a national movement started by documentary filmmaker and former Obama campaign volunteer Annabel Parkusing her Facebook account.

Park has said was frustrated that the conservative tea party movement appeared to be getting more media exposure than it deserved. She called for citizens to get involved in government and a more reasoned public debate.

While tea party activists want less government, coffee party activists say they just want government to work better, Bekkenhuis said, describing the movement as a more leftist version of the tea party.

"Some of my colleagues and I on the Senate Appropriations
Committee met yesterday to discuss the proposals on earmarks in the House of
Representatives and I am considering the issue," Specter said on Friday.

Toomey, who as a Lehigh Valley Congressman did not take many, if any, earmarks, said Specter should do the same.

"Here is a perfect opportunity for him to reject the Washington insider spoils system, and join a bipartisan effort to reign in wasteful spending," Toomey said.

Toomey would like the Democrats to take it even one step further and join House Republicans who have pledged not to take any earmarks for the entire year.

Republican Senate candidate, Pat Toomey, said today for the first time that he would have joined most of his Republican colleagues and voted against Congress' recent jobs bill.

In a statement from his campaign, Toomey says the bill, which passed the Senate on Wednesday, does little to create any new jobs and then slammed Sen. Arlen Specter for supporting costly Democratic priorities.

“The so-called Hire Act contains a net tax increase, does not eliminate earmarks, and employs badly designed tax incentives that will do little to create new jobs," the campaign says. "Pat would have opposed this bill and replaced it with one that actually creates jobs. If Senator Specter and his new Democratic cronies are truly interested in job creation, they should stop supporting the massive new taxes on businesses contained in the health care and cap-and-trade bills.”

The PA Dems can take down their Toomey Ticker now, I suppose, that gauged how long it had been since Toomey had first refused to respond about the jobs legislation.